Didsbury Dave
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 1 Feb 2007
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A much more articulate and amusing way of saying what I'm trying to say, Ric.
Let me give an example of "cold reading" which the above article touches upon.
One of the most celebrated "mediums" there has ever been was the woman whose name escapes me, who supposedly worked with the American police. She had a series called "MEdiums" made about her for American TV, supposedly based on a "true story". Following the series, she was investigated and shown to be a fraud. And she refused all offers to perform under laboratory conditions (as all mediums do, by the way).
One of the police who originally believed her had been told, during a session with her, that she was communicating with one of her dead family who "didn't walk alone". The "victim" (my word) took this as proof of her powers as he had a dead brother who used a wheelchair.
The phrase "didn't walk alone" could mean anything. A dead dog, a live dog, a dead wife, even a wheelchair. But the reaction of the person gives the medium all the info they need to carry on down this track. As I understand it, they "cold read" until they get a bite, and the "victim" gives some info away, then carry on down that road until they get another piece of info.
It's a simple con trick I'm afraid. No offence to you or your sister-in-law, pistonblue.
Let me give an example of "cold reading" which the above article touches upon.
One of the most celebrated "mediums" there has ever been was the woman whose name escapes me, who supposedly worked with the American police. She had a series called "MEdiums" made about her for American TV, supposedly based on a "true story". Following the series, she was investigated and shown to be a fraud. And she refused all offers to perform under laboratory conditions (as all mediums do, by the way).
One of the police who originally believed her had been told, during a session with her, that she was communicating with one of her dead family who "didn't walk alone". The "victim" (my word) took this as proof of her powers as he had a dead brother who used a wheelchair.
The phrase "didn't walk alone" could mean anything. A dead dog, a live dog, a dead wife, even a wheelchair. But the reaction of the person gives the medium all the info they need to carry on down this track. As I understand it, they "cold read" until they get a bite, and the "victim" gives some info away, then carry on down that road until they get another piece of info.
It's a simple con trick I'm afraid. No offence to you or your sister-in-law, pistonblue.